Magazine Subscriptions...#2

So I forgot to include 2 more magazine subscriptions that I have. One thing I feel I need to mention about all these subscriptions that I have: I waited until they brought the prices way, way down before I subscribed. I actual got one of my subscriptions for under $10 for 2 years...what a deal!

The first added subscription is Home Educating Family. I came across this magazine when I was following a link for the Well Planned Day Planner. I requested a sample issue of the magazine and really appreciated what they have to offer. It is a smaller magazine than my other homeschooling magazines. It is Christian based, as all my others are as well, but it has a different slant or tilt. By that I just mean the writers are different than the other magazines. I find it very helpful and refreshing to read the different ways that people present a topic. In the latest issue that I have (2010 Issue 1) features some great articles. If you click on the "Current Issue" tab at Home Educating Family website you can see a list of articles.

The one I appreciated above all else is the one entitled "Three Lies Young Women Believe about God" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh. This is actually an excerpt of their book Lies Young Women Believe. I'm not so young anymore but these are 'lies' that I have believed myself. #3 "God is Not Really Involved in My Life" was a big one for me. However, as they bring to our attention, "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Luke 12:6-7)

There are other articles that are useful in homeschooling and education, not just 'life'. Perhaps you have been wondering about the benefits of the performing arts for children. There is an article by Jay Younts entitled "Performing Arts in Children". Or maybe you are a little leery of teaching history-it's too boring, you think. Check out the article "History is Basic, Yet it Can Be Fun" by Rob and Cyndy Shearer. There's a lot of great information and uplifting articles in this magazine.

My other magazine subscription, I can't believe I forgot. I have been subscribing for 10 years or so now. It's Family Fun Magazine. My first subscription was a gift in 2000/2001 from my mother in law. I've been with them ever since!

This magazine is useful for young parents, older parents, parents with newborns, parents with teens and in betweens. This is also great for grandparents.

My kids actually love this magazine. They like it way more than I do and that is the biggest reason I have kept it. It is not a Christian magazine although I do suspect they at least try to keep it neutral. We don't celebrate Halloween here and that is probably the only issue that I don't particularly care for. Even in that one, there are still great bits to be found.

I just got my latest issue, August 2010, two days or so ago. I haven't had a chance to look through it but it's well worn already! Some articles/crafts in this issue are: "Neighborhood Nation", "Road Trip Car Games", and the kids' favorite "Cool-off Treats". There's also "8 Summer Keepsake Crafts".

One thing I don't particularly like about this magazine is that it seems to be getting smaller and thinner...with more advertisements throughout for Disney. I know that Family Fun is part of Disney (it says it right on the front) but I don't like to be reminded constantly of that fact while I am looking at the magazine. Disney isn't all that it's cracked up to be lately...imho.

I do love the reader submitted photos, stories, and tips. It gives a lot of ideas to myself and my kids. We like to read through the articles and look at the craft ideas but sometimes we just don't have the creativity that others have to tweak it so that we can do it. That's where those reader submissions are handy. So many people send in things that there is bound to be one or more activities that we were looking at, that someone else did in a bit different way that suits us better.

Here's an example of a reader submitted tip:

"Better Book Keeping. How do you keep track of your family's library books?"

• Be Shelf-ish: We store library books on a special shelf on our bookcase and tape our checkout receipt there there...As due dates approach and we return books, we cross off the titles on the receipt. - Juli Warther, Dover, OH
• Tuck Them Into a Tote: I decorated sturdy canvas tote bags for my sons' books. The boys keep the bags in their rooms, so they always know where to find or return a book. When we're ready to visit the library, we grab the bags and go.- Penny Williams, Park Ridge, IL
• Flag Them With Notes: My son...and I write "library" on Post-it notes, then stick one of these flags to the inside of the back cover of each borrowed book. This reusable system makes it easy to identify library titles among our own.- Cristin Boyd, San Jose, CA

*Disclosure: I have not been paid or compensated in any way for these 'reviews'. I personally subscribe to the above magazines and the opinions I have stated are mine alone. See more about my Disclosure/Policies.